607th AC&W

• Origins in the Cold War: The 607th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (AC&W) was activated in the early 1950s as part of the United States' response to the threat of Soviet bombers during the Cold War. • Strategic Location: The unit was stationed at Caswell Air Force Station, Maine, a critical site for early warning radar coverage over the northeastern approaches to North America. • Part of NORAD: The 607th AC&W played a key role in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) system, providing radar surveillance and air defense. • Gap Filler Radars: The squadron operated gap-filler radar sites, smaller unmanned radars that covered low-altitude approaches not visible to main radars. • 24/7 Operations: The squadron maintained round-the-clock operations, with personnel working in shifts to monitor airspace at all times. • Technological Advances: The 607th AC&W was among the first to use advanced radar systems like the AN/FPS-20 and later the AN/FPS-27, which improved detection range and accuracy. • Role in the SAGE System: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the squadron became part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), linking radar data to centralized computers for faster response to threats. • Community Impact: Caswell AFS and the 607th AC&W were important to the local community, providing jobs and bringing military families to rural Maine. • Deactivation: The 607th AC&W Squadron was inactivated in 1980 as technology and defense priorities shifted, marking the end of nearly three decades of service. • Veterans' Legacy: Former members of the 607th AC&W maintain connections through reunions and online groups, preserving the unit's history and memories for future generations.